SIT REP 3: SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025 @ 1545 PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — The GIFFORD FIRE continues to rage, well beyond its start date on August 1, 2025, from an unknown cause that has yet to be ruled as undetermined. Fire Officials continue to investigate the cause.

Photo Credit: ALERT California / UC San Diego

SIZE UP

Today, the fire has burned a whopping 111,557 acres and continues to burn more acres every day. The good news is that resources are starting to make some progress with containment. It has a 21% containment status.

LOCATION

The fire is burning on Hwy 166, northeast of Santa Maria in two California counties in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, where multiple resources are working together to manage, suppress, and contain this firestorm.

INCIDENT COOPERATORS

Management of the fire is under a CIIMT Team 5 with multiple partners in Unified Command, which includes the Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County FD, CAL FIRE, and the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office.

Fire Response: There are 3,685 total personnel along with 21 helicopters, 267 engines, 142 dozers, 98 water tenders, 86 crews, and 592 other resources assigned to this incident.

Other Supporting Partners: American Red Cross Central California Region, AeroVision Global, ALERT California, Direct Relief, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Santa Barbara County EMA, Channel Islands YMCA

Insurance: Liberty Company.

Source: Liberty.

This fire is a reminder that wildfire risk in California no longer follows a predictable season. A recent forecast from PropertyCasualty360, points to warm weather lingering well into fall, keeping fire danger high in much of the West while other regions face the peak of hurricane season and the potential for severe storms.

Preparedness is not just about reacting to a single event. It is about building habits that help you face unexpected moments with clarity and confidence. Review your evacuation plan, keep your go bag stocked, and check that your coverage is ready before you need it.

📧 For questions or support, contact claims@libertycompany.com

📖 Read the forecast here: https://hubs.la/Q03BSJxQ0

🔗 Visit our Wildfire Support Hub: https://hubs.la/Q03BSM930

OPERATIONS

The fire’s forward progression has spread down into the rugged Garcia Wilderness and is now threatening the Machesna Mountain Wilderness, fueled by two large fire columns observed by Fire Officials late yesterday afternoon.

Overnight, crews worked tirelessly to reinforce lines stretching from Pelados Road and Pilitas Mountain, while others successfully contained the fire growth from yesterday’s activities. This was south of the major power transmission line.

A new slopover north of the line has become a primary priority while dozer and hand crews are working to connect new control lines from the Madre Fire burn scar to the Los Machos Hills and protecting high-value assets in the area.

EVACUATIONS

(L) Map Credit: CAL FIRE

Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect.

Pertinent evacuation information, road closures, and other important updates can be found on the CAL FIRE website https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/8/1/gifford-fire.

SHELTERS

Arroyo Grande High School
495 Valley Rd., Arroyo Grande

For sheltering assistance, please call the American Red Cross at 805-678-3073.

Photo Credit: Los Padres National Forest (USFS)

ANIMAL SHELTERS

For assistance evacuating large animals in San Luis Obispo County, please contact the Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) at 805-466-7457.

For assistance evacuating large animals in Santa Barbara County, please contact the County Animal Services Disaster Hotline at 805-681-4332.

Large animal shelters have been established at:

  • The Elks Rodeo Grounds is open for large animal evacuation at 4040 Highway 101, Santa Maria.  Enter the Morningside Drive Gate 2.
  • Paso Robles Event Center Equestrian Center, 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles. Enter at Rodeo Gate

For small/domestic animal evacuations, the following locations are available:

  • 548 W Foster Rd, Santa Maria (open until 6pm)
  • 1501 W Central Ave, Lompoc (open until 6pm)
  • 5473 Overpass Rd, Goleta (open until 6pm)
  • 111 Commerce Dr, Buellton (open to 5pm)

EVACUATION POINTS

Photo Credit: American Red Cross

Temporary Evacuation Point and Community Information & Resource Center: 

Benjamin Foxen Elementary School
4949 Foxen Canyon Rd,
Santa Maria, CA 93454
Hours of Operation: Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, August 4 (8am – 7pm) 

Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center
4689 Highway 166,
New Cuyama, CA 93254
Hours of Operation: Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4 (8am – 4pm). 

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

• SLO County Phone Assistance Center from 8AM–8PM: (805) 543-2444
• Animal Assistance from 8AM-5PM: (805) 781-4800
• Large Animal / Horse Lodging: (805) 781-1404
• Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET): (805) 466-7457
• Santa Barbara County Hotline: (833) 688-5551

Source: LinkedIn.

If you have a trailer and are AVAILABLE to help us continue to evacuate livestock out of the new fire zone orders this morning in the Lopez and Huasna areas, please call/text us at (805) 550-0213. Requests are pouring in, and we want to be able to provide support without excessive delay.

Please contact HEET – Horse Emergency Evacuation Team of San Luis Obispo County if you have a horse trailer and can assist with evacuation in the stated area this morning.
➡️ Call or text 805-550-0213 ⬅️

THREATENED

  • 2,922 structures.
  • Machesna Mountain Wilderness.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

  • 2 structures lost.

INJURIES

  • 2 confirmed civilians.
  • 5 confirmed firefighters.

(c) 2025 NW FIRE BLOG